Rod attachment for head to head cross connector
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorsSteven Ludwig, Mark T. Hall, Thomas V. Doherty
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Exemplary spinal fixation devices, systems, and method are provided for stabilizing vertebrae in a patient's spine. In one exemplary embodiment, methods and devices are provided for coupling one or more bone anchors, such as hooks, screws, etc., and/or one or more spinal fixation elements, such as spinal rods, cables, plates, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, a cross connector is provided for connecting and stabilizing two bone anchors, a bone anchor and a spinal fixation element, or a bone anchor and bone.
Claims21
1-15. (canceled)
A spinal fixation system, comprising:
- a first bone anchor having a bone engaging portion and a spinal fixation element receiving portion with opposed arms extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis that extends from a proximal end to a distal end of the bone anchor and configured to receive a spinal fixation element therebetween;
- a cross connector rod having first and second ends;
- and
- a connecting assembly including a clamp and a laterally offset cross connector receiving portion configured to receive one of the first and second cross connector ends such that when a portion of the cross connector rod is disposed therein, the cross connector rod is offset from the longitudinal axis of the bone anchor,
- wherein the connecting assembly is configured to fix a location of the cross connector rod with respect to the spinal fixation element receiving portion.
A spinal fixation system, comprising:
- a bone anchor having a bone engaging portion and a spinal fixation element receiving portion with opposed arms configured to receive a spinal fixation element therebetween such that the received spinal fixation element intersects a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the bone anchor;
- a spinal rod having first and second ends;
- and
- a connecting assembly having a laterally offset receiving portion configured to receive one of the first and second ends of the spinal rod such that when a portion of the spinal rod is disposed therein, the spinal rod is offset from the longitudinal axis of the bone anchor,
- wherein the connecting assembly is configured to maintain a location of the spinal rod in a fixed position relative to the spinal fixation element receiving portion of the bone anchor.
A method for spinal stabilization, comprising:
- implanting a first bone anchor on a first side of a first vertebra, the first bone anchor having a spinal fixation element receiving portion disposed between opposed arms;
- disposing a spinal fixation element in the spinal fixation element receiving portion of the first bone anchor;
- mating a subassembly to the first bone anchor to secure the spinal fixation element within the spinal fixation element receiving portion;
- inserting one end of a cross connector into a rod-receiving portion of a clamp, the rod-receiving portion being disposed proximal of the spinal fixation element receiving portion;
- and
- fixing a location of the cross connector rod with respect to the bone anchor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.